Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-10-07

in the rear of Galaher's wagon house. Visions
OF gore and bloody knives made Gallaher in
disposed TO inveStigete it by himself, particu-
larly in his defenSelc-s condition. He invited
Willard to accompany him, and the latter ac-
copied. The two men, followed by the pug,
passed on tiptoe along the alleyway at the
side of the house, crossed the yard and ap-
preached the wagon house, through which
they could pass to the lot
The minute he opened the door something
came tapping against him with bang ont of
the darkness, scratched his face and knocked
him down. 1t was the peacock trying to get
out Gallaher was little ratified anyhow.
He had forgotten the bird, and he yelled with
fright us he scrambled to his feet and ran
across the yard Willard and the pug had
been there some seconds when he arrived
Tie looked savagely at Willard to detect the
faintest smile. If he had seen one he would
have killed him on the spot
ats me paycock," he said, hoarsely, and
he said no more, but there was blood in his
eye.
He found lantern and lighted it Then
he went back and opened the door carefully.
Tho pug, aching for destruction, spied the
peacock.
"Broo-oo," croaked he with the hoarse bark
peculiar to pugs.
"Cawhorrrki!7 screamed the bird defiantly.
Posey abandoned his strategic advantage
between his owners legs and uncouieously
flew at it. The peacock, glad TO meet some
thing it could whip, met him half way 1t
struck with its spurs, and, hitting with its
wings, knocked the dog over. Posey squaked
with terror and lay paralyzed while Robert
Emmett pecked him viciousiy
"Stop himl Stop him!7 cried Mr.. Willard.
"Iet 'em alone yelled Gallaher.
Mr.. Willard, fearful for his pet, grabbed at
the peacock. Then he struck at him with
stick. Then GalIahe,'s pentup Utica gave
way and be acted
He was mad anyhow. He would have
given $40 ii Willard had hit him instead of
the fowl The accumulated anger of years
spurred his right femoral muscles when lie
kicked Ii he had not hit his mark he would
have broken his leg If he had had his boot
on he would have broken Mr. Willard in two
As it was his foot struck Mr.. Willard amid
ships like locomotive and knocked him five
feet, face downward on top of the peacock.
The bird screamed, Posey squalied, and the
Hlen TOllSu over anu over on the HOOF. MI
Willard was no SLOUGH. His mouth was full
Of feathers, but he had courage, and the bat
tie was hot and sanguinary. Re-enforcements
for the Irish champion arrived in the shape of
Mrs. Gallaher who with handy shovel WAS
about to cleave Mr. Millards skull when the
policeman grabbed it. At the sight of him
she tainted dead away in his arms and he
dropped her Then he pulled the men apart
''Here This won't do, gentlemen, he said.
an have no pug dargs in me neighbor-
hood screamed Gallaher, with blood on the
front of his nightShirt.
THE peacock-tchoo-beg it, sab MIR
rs-tchoo-peacock attacked my
wife's dog, sab" screamed Willard. Then he
spat out more feathers.
60 an home, said the policeman to Mil
lard, and he went.
"Betther 10 nothin' about it, Misther Gal
Iaher," said he It'll be cross complaints an
no good. I'll have the poundmaster grab his
| darg.n
| "Ye will" asked Galaher
"Oi will
| "Begorral Orn have We made a sergeant
/ at the mkt meeting, said the politician.
| The dog rs gone, and the peacock too. The
families continue to not speak as they pas;
/ by, and are still III state o. armed neutral
/ ity-New York Times.